Apparatus for drying and/or impregnating electric cables



Aug. 5, 1952 a. T. w. GRIEVE APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND/OR IMPREGNATING ELECTRIC CABLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1951 Inventor Aug. 5, 1952 a. T. w. GRIEVE 2,605,738

APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND/OR IMPREGNATING ELECTRIC CABLES Filed Aug. 8, 1951 s Sheets- Sheet 2 F/GZ.

Invws a. 7" 14/ y dg uwiu-w Altorney g- 1952 G. T..w. GRIEVE 2,605,738

APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND/OR IMPREGNATING ELECTRIC CABLES Filed Aug. 8, 1951 3 Sheets-SheeVS Inventor A Home y Patented Aug. 1952 use Geor e I Wilson Grieve, sha ters? HiiLf f -z 'Iiondqninn'glana;assignor to Bi'itishIns'ulatedif v Gallendets Cablesliimitedgjliondon England; ff f.

insulating. t of heg'conductor or confine-V:

tors. The invention proyidesjimproved" apparar tus for this purpose whichachievesalsqeconomy' in mn e nt an pl nt "for h h ndlin and'treatmentofth jmpregnanth w The improved apparatus-comprises-a drum" "with attain:

' laiiii lia ibln iuaita 1951, Serial No. 240,,950 i i I. 1. I fir a !5r 1 a s H4950 pipe; mummies he or. a

permanent, characf v r.

A suitable; compress, i l ioint'i may be made, by providing; on one flangelfa circumferential" rib with-Ia. recess. in itslifejce, containin' lin ts nne part a vsuitable. compressible layer; such as 'oilresisting rubber or-lead; and proyid'ing also on ha atine. flansaa. Q'e'ss. receive theirib. and

" haying, project ngina pr pria e po it a r pe stmiure two pa s; On n tyth d i 'c mprises a. drum barrel and twojflanges'oi difierent outside diameters; This part isradapted-td-receive the turns and layers ofaninsulated cable body on the barrel between the flanges This drum'may have a centre-part attached to the. barrel; the attachment 'being-perma-nent or" re-' movable,-topermitmountirig' of: the drum for turning onan axle, Alternatively; the drum may run on its flanges in arollefc-radlein'which case the centrepart' maybe dispensed with. The second part'oi the drum structureji's a flanged e by s ds pas ing, throu h n Q it flanges and ne na uts" on :or. in e Ixiati'I a flan e,

cylindrical casing adaptedtoenclosethe space between the flanges of the drum, makingiat-each end a joint; The drum flange of smalleridiameter is adapted to be attached in a" flllldifjilighl'f manner to arflange' projecting inwardly-from the casing at or near one end of the casing". The drum flange of larger diameter is adapted; to be attached to the Opposite endv of the casing, preferably to a flange projecting outwardly from-this end of the casing. Means-for making'pipe-connections on one orbothof the-parts-of the drum structure are provided. p

With this apparatus the drum takes up a cable body (for instance of a single core paper insulated cable or-0f a three core cable with paper insulation and fillers? between cores? as it comes from the paper lappingmachine- (in the flrst case)- or from the laying-up machine (in the second case) When the required lengthof cablehas been applied to'the' drum it'is' turned into the horizontal position, that-is with its axis verpart: of. the drum or off'the, casing; '01" of' both.

ticaL and has applied te -it the flanged casing which passes over theouter part and makes joint with'the flanges at the topand bottom of the drum (preferably compression joints) so as to seal up the space in which'the cable body is located. Then appropriate pipe connections are made to vacuum and/0r impregnating apparatusadapted; to passinto the recessm the 3. n pres against the'i mt nsfmater Within i With this construction'th'e jointing materialiand the rin both liew thin recesses and. a Q liable 'to be injured either" when the parts are b movedion assem Q cQnne tiQ when the drum is being used away from the casing-. r j v v ecomp e sio i'qft e io msma be ma e; by eri o -shaped lames iilate zat i te r und h p pheri f. theil nse '0 m be.

preferably captiyenuts housedthat;

In order" to ensure an effective seal bymeans of the two compression joints it is preferable to 7 give a, small degree of flexibility to the casing. This may be-'done-, fore eample, by dividing it circumferentially intotww a itsfand joining these together 'flexibly as byanarrow- U-shaped ring of metal. projecting. outwards from the cas ing, and secured at its) twov 'edgesby' welding to the two parts of the casing.

Heating of thestructure when assembled. is

preferably: carried out .byapplying heating; elements to it. The elements may .besbuilt in as s elements m y bea range'd on the cylindr cal part of the asing and may be disposed'in a'ring within the, casing}in;suchia position as'fto permit the dlllmfltQ .be'inserted'jinf theorising with. its,

barrellinpproximity to the'ellements which then may be. moved. outwards sii'ghtly Le. towards the, casing to,.rnal e. close. application tofthe barpreferably oarriedTon-the l Anl'exampler of. apparatus; irijaccordahce with the inv ention. is shown. in the accompanying drawings! v v lni es d win s F ures 1 and ar eta sectional-elevations 0t thetwo mainyparts of the pparatus, that i the: um a s the flan rel. Q'Ihev heating) elements for the drum arecyiindrical casinazresnec i-velyi n ie; a 31s" an; elevation, partly in cross-section; of :the'as 3 sembled structure comprising the drum, flanged cylindrical casing and ancillary apparatus.

Referring to Figure 1, the drum comprises a cylindricalbarrel I and two hollow flanges 2 and 3 mounted on opposite ends of thegdrum I; flange 2 is of larger outside diameter than flange 3. Inside the flanges are heating coils 4 and 5 in the nected by a pipe'6.

face of the flange 2 and a stearn outlet pipe 8 A gland through which accesscan be had to'bne i end of the cable body, wound on the drum inthe normal way, is shown at 9. Attached to the edge of the largerflange 2 is a recessed metal ring ID, in the'recess' of which is" formed a narrow projecting ring II. A similar the flange 5 near to its outer edge. The ring I2 is 4 formed with a number of threaded'apertures" I3- and with a single aperturef14 throughiwhic'h access can be had to'thesteam outlet pipe 8;

ReferringnoW to Figure"2 of the" drawingsg the cylindrical casing's'hownin this drawingis in two parts, I5 and 16,1 interconnected by a flexible U-shapedringI'L Heating coi'lsfIB and I9 are attached tdthet'wo parts I5 and" I6 andinterconnec'tedby api'pe" 2B passingjover theflexible ring I'I'. .Asteaminlet pipe 2I'is connected 3 to the coil I5 and" a" steam foutl'etpipe22 .tothe coil IE.

Two pipes 23a'nd24 pa's'sthrough the wall of the'part I5 'of theTcasifi g and "a single pipe 25 passes throughthewall'ofthe-lower part of 1';

On the upper surfacefof thefflange2fi is mounted b a recessed ring 28 having packing materialin its recess. A similar ringz s'projectsm the forth of a flange fromthe upper edge "of 'the'ipart I5 of the casingj the recess: in this;ringfjc'arries' packing material 30. I

A- number of U-shapedclamps of which one only (3|) is shown in Figure 2, are pivoted near the upper edge of the part I5 of thevcasing. On the under surface of 'the'flange'2'6; are secured a number of apertur ed blocksf32, the apertures in which coincide with similar apertures "in the flange26. I

Figure 3 shows the two parts described with reference to Figures 1 and 2assemb1ed together to form a fluid tight enclosure 33 for a cable body wound on the drum (not sho n); In this drawing parts already described 'are'gi'ven the same references as in Figures 1 and 2. It will be seen that the ring I I in the recess of the ring I0,

mounted on the larger flange of the drum; fits 0' into the recess in the ring 29 which projects as a flange from the upperjedge of the upper part I5 of the cylindrical casing. By tightening the clamps 3|, the ring I I is forced into contact with the packing 30 in the ring'29'to'form a fluidas tight joint between the flange and'the casing.

A similar fluid-tight joint is made between the ring l2 mounted on the surface'ofthe smaller drum flange 3 and the ring28 mounted on the upper surface of the flange 26 which projects '70- inwardly from the lower part I6of the cylindrical casing. In this case the drum flange 3 is drawn 3 towards the flange 26 by means of a number'- of threaded studs 34 which screw into the threaded V} apertures I3 in the ring I2 mounted on the face 4 of the drum flange 3. These studs pass freely through the apertures in the blocks 32 and hence can be utilised for drawing the two flanges together by tightening nuts 35: ,Tlfhesmall degree of flexibility necessary to enableboth'joints to be made" without distortidnbf'th' parts is pro- 1 vided by the flexible U-shaped ring N. form of two continuous steam pipes intercon Inside the cylindrical casing there are arranged v. a, V ""threesteam' eaters each in the form of upper A steam inlet pipe 1 projects fromuthe outer ojandll'ower header pipes 36 and 31 interconnected byla number of vertical pipes 38. Together these passes through the outer face'aof theflange 3 l-ameter aflllttleless than the diameter of the barrel I of thedrum. Each heater is carried by threeheatersjform a complete cylinder of a dia pair "of pivoted arms 39 secured to the lower l? headerpipe 31, and pivoted to a fixed trunnion 40.

---For simplicity a number of these trunnions have been omitted from Figure 3. The headers I recessed ring I2 is mounted on the outer face of 36 are each connected by vertical pipes 4| (two only of which'areeshown) to, .acommon steam chamber 42 suppliedfwitlijsteam through a pipe 43. The lower headers=31 :are each provided with steam outlet' pipes 44. 'Each-of the'pivoted arms I 39 is provided with a Trig-id". projection. '45-which is adapted to make jcontact" with the inner part of the lower face'of thefflange 30f thedrum as the drum is being lowered into position within the a casing. This ensuresithatlwhen the drum; is brought into its flnal' pos'iti'on within the casing, the arms 39 are pivoted towards theinner surface of the drum barrel to.j'bring 'the' vertical pipes 38-into 'contactiorclose pronimity with the barrelI of the drum. l w. I

m p 9 hj j qe i $2 .9 .le r ing compound for the cable body. "The steam supply and euuetmpesm ancizto the cylindrical casing and thelsteam supply and-outlet :pipes 43 and 44 to the inner heating structures can be permanently connected to a steam-supply. -It

is necessary, howeverto make connections to the steam inlet pipe -'I and outlet pipe 8 forthe-heat- 'ing coils [and 5--in';th idrum flanges 2 and; 3

after the drumhats;beenplacedjin-iposition within the casing. U H i r When the drum, -e arrying acablebody'for drying impregnation-has been placed in position in the casing and the fluid-tight connections have been made by tightening the-clamps 3I and by screwing the studs 34 intoposition and tightening the nuts 35, the drying operation can be carried out in accordance with normal practice by steam heating the cable body while-the enthe manifold 46 closure 33 is evacuated through ile-fi- .7 -When the cable body hasbeen-driecl, impregnation may be carried, out as iollows. The vacuum is broken .byv admitting the cableimpregnat ing compound to the enclosure 33; through the 1 h c b e b dy i maintained, by means of th'e var ous steam heat-:- ing coils described, at ayalue si fi cient to cause 1 efficient impregnation f.;the cable body,- f

It will be seen that by meansoi this apparatus handling and bending ofthecable'bmy is reduced and the quantity of; apparatusurequired is substantially less than was the-usualpractice l in which the cable is wound :on special drums .or

in special trays which are inserted in complete drying and impregnating chambers. :It will also be seen that the "space to be evacd'atedand to I be filled with impregnant is much reduced? This particularly bears on the size of plant fortreata cable body in said enclosure;

ment rofithelimpregnant 'tselfi'inpreparinggitifbrf use andiregenerajting .fitia-fteri repeated?use; v i-r whatf claimzras my' inventionxisia 1 :1; Apparatus. -.for treating i an electr'ic cable:

body. comprisingl aadrumzonwhich said'cabl-e' can;

be: wound;..-comprising 'asbar'rel. and-1 two flanges,

of different. outside diameters; a cylindricallcas i.

site to zthe flangedi end and the: larger flange of said drum; said :'casing and 'drum -together form i ing a fluid-tight enclosure for said cablebody; at least} one openi ng insaidfl fluid tightf enclosure for the passage of fluid and means for heating 2. Apparatus for treatinganelectric cable body comprising a drum, on which said cable can be'wound, comprising a barrel and two flanges of different outside diameters, a flexibly expansible cylindrical casing for enclosing the space between said flanges having at one end an inwardly projecting flange, means for making a fluid-tight joint between said inwardly projecting flange and the smaller flange of said drum, means for making a fluid-tight joint between the end of said casing opposite to the flanged end and the larger flange of said drum, said casing and drum together forming a fluidtight enclosure for said cable body, at least one opening in said fluid-tight enclosure for the passage of fluid and means for heating a cable body in said enclosure.

3. Apparatus for treating an electric cable body comprising a drum, on which said cable can be wound, comprising a barrel and two flanges of difierent outside diameters, ac lindrical casing comprising two cylindrical parts joined together flexibly in a fluid-tight manner for enclosing the space between said flanges and having at one end an inwardly projecting flange, means for making a fluid-tight joint between said inwardly projecting flange and the smallerflange of said drum, means for making a fluidtight joint between the end of said casing opposite to the flanged end and the larger flange of said drum, said casing and drum together forming a fluid-tight enclosure for said cable body, at least one opening in said fluid-tight enclosure for the passage of fluid and means for heating a cable body in said enclosure.

4. Apparatus for treating an electric cable body comprising a drum, on which said cable can be wound, comprising a barrel and two flanges of different outside diameters, a cylindrical casing comprising two cylindrical parts joined together in a fluid-tight manner by a flexible U- shaped metal ring projecting outwards from the said casing for enclosing the space between said flanges and having at one end an inwardly proand the smaller flange of said drum, means for making a fluid-tight joint between the end of said casing opposite to the flanged end and the larger flange of said drum, said casing and drum together forming a fluid-tight enclosure for said cable body, at least one opening in said fluidtight enclosure for the passage of fluid and means for heating a cable body in said enclosure.

5. Apparatus for treating an electric cable body comprisin a drum, on which said cable can be wound, ieomprisingsarbarrel;andi twouflanges of difierentioutside idiameterss Ia cylindrical casing for" enclosing;'theispacebetweenq-said flanges-havingnarti one :end", aninwardly. projectingj flange,

means iormaking-afluid tightijointzbetweensaid inwardlypr ojecting flange and -the-smallen flange of: said di-dim; means fommaking a;fluid-tig-ht jointibetween the end ioii'isaid casin opposite-tothe flan'ged": end 'and the: larger fla-nge of said drum; said cas-ing and drum together formin-g aw fluid -tight 'enclosure foissaid cable b'od'y acreas't one opening in said fluid tight enclosure forthe passage or. fluid and means for heatinga cable body in said enclosure including heating elements disposedj i r r axring within sai'd casing and: means for: bringing said": el'ement's: into:v close "proximity with: said-drum barrel wherrsaim drum-isin -posi tiorrvwithi'n-said casingi 6. Apparatus ior'treating-an elefiric cable. body comprising a drum, on which said-caibib 'oanbe wound comprising a barrel and two flanges of diflerent' outsi'de diameters; a cylindrical casing, for enclosing the space between said flainges hav ing at one end an inwardly projecting flange, means for making a fluid-tight joint between said inwardly projecting flange and the smaller'flange of said drum, means for making a fluid-tight joint between the end of said casing opposite to the flanged end and the larger flange of said drum, said casing and drum together forming a fluid-tight enclosure for said cable body, at least one opening in said fluid-tight enclosure for the passage of fluid and means for heating a cable body in said enclosure comprising heating elements mounted on said casing, heating elements mounted on at least'one flange of said drum and heating elements disposed in a ring within said casing in a position such that they are in close proximity with the drum barrel when it is in position within the casing.

7. Apparatus for treating an electric cable body comprising a drum, on which said cable can be wound, comprising a barrel and two flanges of different outside diameters, a cylindrical casing for enclosing the space between said flanges having at one end an inwardly projecting flange, means for making a fluid-tight joint between the said inwardly projecting flange and the smaller flange of said drum, means for making a fluidtight joint between the end of said casing opposite to the flanged end and the larger flange of said drum, said casing and drum together forming a fluid-tight enclosure for said cable body, at least one opening in said fluid-tight enclosure for the passage of fluid and means for heating a cable body in said enclosure including heating elements disposed in a ring within said casing and means actuated by said drum as it is moved into position within said casing to bring said elements into close proximity with said drum barrel.

8. Apparatus for treating an electric cable body comprising a mounting for said apparatus, a drum on which said cable can be Wound comprising a I barrel and two flanges of different outside diameter's, a cylindrical casing for enclosing the space between said flanges mounted with its axis vertical on said casing, a flange projecting inwardly from the lower end of said casing, means for making a fluid-tight joint between said inwardly projecting flange and the smaller flange of said drum, means for making a fluid-tight joint between the upper end of said casing and the larger flange of said drum, said casing and drum together forming a fluid-tight enclosure for said cable body, at least one opening in said fluidtightenclosure- Ior-tthepassage :oi 'fiuidand meansfor' heating. a rfiab'l bodyrinsaid venclosure. V;

:9,..:IApparatus ,for.-treating .-an,electriccable body comprisingja mounting-for said apparatus, adrum on which said cable ,can.:1be wound comprising, a barrel. and twoflanges of difierent outside diametersiaifl'exibly expansible cylindrical casing for enclosing the space between said flanges mounted with its axis yertiealion said casin a flange projecting inwardly ,from the lower endof said casing,:means for makingya; fluid-tight joint between said inwardlyprojecting flange and the smaller flan e-oi said drum, means for making a fluidetight joint:between the upper end of said casing: and the-largerflange of said drum, said casingand drum; together-forming a fluid-tight enclosure for said cable body,- at least one opening in said fluid-tight enclosure forthe passage of fluid and means forheating a cable .body, in saidenclosur x it 1 i;

10. epparatusgfor;treating' an electric cable body comprising a mounting-for said apparatus, a drum on which said cable can be wound comprisinglja 'barrelian'd two, flanges of different out-- drum together forming 'a fluid-tight enclosure for said cable body, at least one opening in said fluid-tight enclosure for the passage of fluid and means for heating a, cable body in said enclosure including heating elements supported on said mounting in a ring within said casing and means for bringing said elements-into close proximity with said drum barrel when said drum is in position Within said casing.

GEORGE THOMAS WILSON GRIEVE.

No references cited. 

